Cheryl Ann (Fennimore) Brown

Cheryl Ann (Fennimore) Brown of Fortville, IN passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the age of seventy-six. She was born on October 5, 1948, in Beech Grove, IN, and grew up in Indianapolis, IN. At various times she also lived in San Francisco, CA, Charlotte, NC, and Greenfield, IN.

A member of the 1966 graduating class of Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Cheryl proudly played clarinet and saxophone for the Warriors’ marching band. She also attended Ball State University in Muncie, IN.

Cheryl worked for the US government, in one capacity or another, for nearly her entire career and in all the cities where she lived. She retired in November 2012, after forty-three years of service, including more than seventeen years with the Veterans Administration, as well as stints with the Department of the Army and the Social Security Administration.

Family, music, and beautiful things—especially plants and clothing—were Cheryl’s passions. Nothing made her smile quicker than sharing a joke, obtaining a new recipe, arranging flowers, receiving the comfort and joy offered by her grandson’s dog, anticipating the cool water of her backyard pool, and listening to the songs of the Irish Tenors and il Volo. From her childhood and throughout her life, it could be truly said that Cheryl never met a stranger. She brought all people, kin and non-kin alike, within her expanded view of “family.” Cheryl empathized with their challenges, supported their activities, praised their accomplishments, listened to their stories, and welcomed them into her circle. She loved being in their presence, and they wanted to be with her.

Cheryl was preceded in death by Ryan Christopher Brown, her son and only child, and by Charles and Rosemarie Fennimore, her parents. Surviving her are James Krashin, her partner of thirty years, Skylar Stone-Brown of Fortville and Liam Neary of Indianapolis, her grandsons, and Lila Neary of Indianapolis, her granddaughter. She is also survived by her brother Tom Fennimore (and wife Gail) of Charlotte and her sister Charlene Fennimore of Calverton, NY. Other survivors include nephews Lee Fennimore (Christina) of Setauket, NY, Blair Fennimore (Robin) of Denver, CO, and Keenan Fennimore (Carolyn) of Indianapolis; great-nephews Charles Fennimore and Thomas Fennimore of Indianapolis, Gray Fennimore and Campbell Fennimore of Denver, and Silas Fennimore of Setauket; great-niece Devon Fennimore of Setauket; and cousin Sandi Wells Reed (Mike) of Roscoe, IL. Mary Neary of Indianapolis, Tammy Stone of Auburn, CA, Alex Stone of Charlottesville, IN, and Reagan Watkins of Fairfield, CA, also survive Cheryl as beloved members of her expanded “family.”

It was lifesaving, but still drudgery, for Cheryl to endure her three-day-a-week, multi-hour regimen of kidney dialysis. Nevertheless, she showed great strength and hope by pushing through the process during the final seven years of her life. Dialysis weakened Cheryl’s body, but she bravely fought for her health. She also brought good cheer and friendship to the healthcare providers and fellow patients who shared the dialysis journey with her.

The family would like to thank Community Hospital North, Fresenius Kidney Care, and Drs. Matthew Wysocki and Jorge Luis Morales-Estrella, all located in Indianapolis, for the care and compassion they showed Cheryl in her final days.

Interment will be at Washington Park East Cemetery, 10612 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46229. A graveside liturgy will be said on October 2, 2025, at 2:30 pm at the Cherry Blossom Court columbarium, located off Obelisk Drive on the northwest side of Potomac Lake. At 4:30 pm food, refreshments, and visiting will follow at Sero’s Family Restaurant, 11720 East Washington Street.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Cheryl’s honor to the National Kidney Foundation.